Men's Basketball Faces Familiar Foe in St. John's
Nov. 30, 2007
CORAL GABLES, FLA. – The University of Miami men’s basketball team will face a familiar opponent on Sunday, taking on former BIG EAST rival St. John’s in a nationally-televised game at 4 p.m. at the BankUnited Center.
Game 7: St. John’s (4-0) at Miami (6-0)
Date: Sun., Dec. 2, 2007 | Time: 4 p.m. (EST) | Site: BankUnited Center
TV: FSN | Radio: WKAT 1360 AM | Internet Video: None
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) | St. John’s (www.redstormsports.com) Tickets: 1-800-GO-CANES
Probable Miami StartersNo. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast5 Eddie Rios (G, 6-0, 193, Fr.) 5.8 2.8 4.323 James Dews (G, 6-3, 203, So.) 11.0 3.2 1.832 Brian Asbury (F, 6-7, 223, Jr.) 10.8 4.8 2.000 Jimmy Graham (F, 6-8, 251, Jr.) 5.0 4.5 0.550 Anthony King (C, 6-9, 246, R-Sr.) 11.5 9.7 2.0
Probable St. John’s StartersNo. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast4 Eugene Lawrence (G, 6-1, 210, Sr.) 12.0 3.0 6.05 Larry Wright (G, 6-2, 172, So.) 15.8 1.8 0.810 D.J. Kennedy (G/F, 6-6, 208, Fr.) 13.0 9.5 2.315 Dele Coker (F/C, 6-10, 270, Fr.) 2.5 2.3 1.524 Justin Burrell (F, 6-8, 235, Fr.) 15.3 9.8 1.0
At 6-0, the Hurricanes are off to their best start under fourth-year head coach Frank Haith and have put together their best start since winning 14 straight to open the 2001-02 season. It marks just the fifth time Miami has won its first six games of the season. Voters are taking note of the Hurricanes’ strong start, as Miami has received votes in both polls for the second-straight week. The Hurricanes are 31st in the AP Top-25 with 68 points, and also earned 28 points in the ESPN/USA Today Poll, good for 33rd in the nation.
In Wednesday’s win over Alabama State, five Hurricanes finished in double-figure scoring for the second time this season. Four Hurricanes are averaging double-figure points — Jack McClinton (14.3 ppg), Anthony King (11.5 ppg), James Dews (11.0 ppg) and Brian Asbury (10.8 ppg). King has scored 10-or-more points in five-straight games — since finishing with nine points in the season-opener, while McClinton has scored in double figures in 30 of 35 games at Miami.
The Series
Sunday’s meeting between Miami and St. John’s marks the 29th game between the former BIG EAST rivals, and the first since the Hurricanes joined the ACC in 2004-05. Although the Red Storm leads the all-time series, 16-12, the Hurricanes won the last meeting between the teams, 70-64, on Jan. 14, 2004, at Alumni Hall in New York. Miami also edges St. John’s, 7-6, when playing on its home court.
With the 29th meeting on Sunday, St. John’s becomes one of Miami’s top-10 most frequently-faced opponents — and ties for the third most frequently-faced non-Florida based opponent.
A Look at St. John’s
At 4-0, a young St. John’s squad is led by four players in double-figure scoring, including a pair that is just shy of averaging double-doubles. Sophomore Larry Wright leads the Red Storm with 15.8 points per game — including a team-high 12 three-pointers. He is shooting 56.4 percent from the field and 57.1 percent from long range. Freshman Justin Burrell adds 15.3 points and a team-high 9.8 rebounds per game, while freshman D.J. Kennedy contributes 13.0 points and 9.5 boards an outing, while converting 82.4 percent of his free throws (14-17). Senior Eugene Lawrence adds 12.0 points and a team-high 6.0 assists per game.
Watch Live on FSN
Sunday’s game will be broadcast live on FSN as part of its ACC Sunday Night Hoops. Tim Brando (play-by-play), Mike Gminski (analyst) and Jenn Hildreth (sideline) will call the game.
